Some 3D printing file formats hold more information than others, giving your 3D printer more detailed instructions. Whether this is beneficial depends on what you are printing and your desired specifications. For example, STL is the most common 3D printing file format because it works for simple models but only contains external surface and shape …
3D printers can rapidly produce parts on a small scale, with most printed objects available within four hours. However, there are ways to improve print speeds even more and reduce the time to print completion. Although increasing 3D print speed can come at the expense of accuracy and surface quality, this is a trade-off worth …
Recycling is the best way to deal with 3D printed plastic, but not all plastics are recyclable, and those that are, aren’t always widely recycled. This puts barriers in the way of sustainable additive manufacturing. The plastic crisis is one of the most significant challenges facing our planet. Our reliance on plastics is too great …
When 3D-printed parts need maximum strength, factors that matter include 3D printer settings, part orientation, and material choice. While each factor is critical to strength, material choice is arguably the most important because it defines the part’s mechanical characteristics. Choosing the strongest 3D printing material requires delving into technical data sheets to compare filaments and working …
5 Tips to Choose the Strongest 3D Printing Material Read More »
3D printing and CNC machining are often pitched against each other but are complementary tools suited to different applications. We are often asked whether 3D printing will replace CNC machining. Our answer is always the same – “no” in general, but “yes” in applications where machining is expensive, time-consuming, and mechanically limited. Both can …
As the drone market hots up, drone makers must innovate to survive. 3D printing gifts engineers an in-house manufacturing tool to innovate rapidly and on budget to transform their development cycles. Additive manufacturing is a perfect manufacturing match for drone making because it enables rapid prototyping to speed up time to market and the production of custom …
3D printing’s ability to produce complex shapes and interlocking parts introduces exciting possibilities for in-house manufacturing. Whether you are a small business or a large-scale manufacturer, 3D printing puts mass production and rapid prototyping on your desk. With a suitable material and a 3D printer, it’s possible to replace aluminium and composite parts manufactured with …
Rapid prototyping is a production method where objects are manufactured directly from CAD (computer-aided design) software. As you know, a prototype is a preliminary version of an end product used to assess its shape, materials, design, technology, and mechanical qualities. A ‘rapid prototype’ is made quickly from CAD data. 3D printing – or additive manufacturing …
What is Rapid Prototyping? – The Advantages & Disadvantages Read More »
Top Autodesk Software Tools. There’s a lot for students to love about Autodesk’s CAD and 3D modelling software solutions, especially the fact that some are free. But with more than 40 software tools available – many with overlapping features – picking the most suitable tools for your project can be a bit of a minefield. The good …
Tinkercad is a free CAD program for beginners that provides a simple and fast way to create 3D models compatible with 3D printers. Tinkercad’s extensive shapes library and drag-and-drop model builder let you build custom models in minutes. You can scale, group, mirror, align and manipulate shapes in multiple ways to hone your skills. However, …
